Who Did That?: A Whodunit for Children

PreS-Gr 2—A hairy culprit with a broad, flat tail is terrorizing a small town, gnawing everything he can get his teeth on: a street pole, a seesaw, a recorder, and more. The town is aghast. A brave police officer with magnifying glass in hand doesn't have to look too far to track down the vandal. Shortly after the animal is apprehended and thrown in the clink, he chews through the bars over his window. It's only when a little girl simply asks him to stop that the animal ceases his destruction. Kids with a keen eye will spot glimpses of the culprit along the way; a tail here, paw prints there. This first picture book published in English from the Dutch animators-turned-authors/illustrators is a sign of good things to come. The gritty, spray can look of the backgrounds, the scenery, and the characters themselves gives the digital art a softness. This book doesn't take itself too seriously and it's the lighthearted playfulness of the child-centered, stylized cartoons that makes it fun to inspect. Laforest's translation captures all of the subtle humor. For an "Intro to Mystery" storytime, pair with Moose Tracks by Karma Wilson and Jack E. Davis. It could also be used as a primer on respecting others' property and the importance of listening.